Weeping Cherries came about because for hundreds of years in China and Japan, people bred and collected different specimens of unusual cherry blossoms, particularly ones that cascaded or grew differently.
All weeping cherries share similar growing attributes because they are all created by grafting different tops onto the same type of root stock.
Weeping cherries are created by taking the tall stem of an upright cherry tree and grafting onto it different types of tops. Essentially weeping cherries either come in a cascading or “weeping” variety, where the branches all grow downwards or they grow out horizontally from the graft, but not tall like a regular cherry.
Different nurseries will graft heads of weeping cherries at varying heights so you can usually find the exact variety you want at the height you want, if you just look (or talk to your local nursery.)
Each weeping cherry will bloom at different times in spring, with the Falling Snow being the earliest.
You will not find big luscious juicy cherries unfortunately on a weeping cherry tree. They are not really suitable for eating and only grow tiny little pips with a small amount of skin over them. But what they lose in fruit, they make up for in spectacular blossoms that are just gorgeous.
They are wonderful as a feature tree as they can look stunning in the middle of a garden or even in a large pot in the right place.
Approximately 98% of all weeping cherries sold in Melbourne tend to fall into 5 basic varieties.
Weeping cherry trees are some of the most beautiful and popular ornamental trees Their gracefully cascading branches covered in showy blossoms create a stunning focal point in any landscape If you’re considering adding a weeping cherry tree to your yard, there are many gorgeous varieties to choose from. In this article, we will explore 11 of the most popular and readily available weeping cherry tree varieties.
Overview of Weeping Cherry Trees
Weeping cherry trees are ornamental varieties of cherry trees that have been cultivated to have pendulous, weeping branches Unlike regular cherry trees that grow upright, weeping cherries have branches that arch and cascade downward, creating a flowing, waterfall effect. The weeping form is achieved through grafting – taking the weeping branch structure and fusing it onto the trunk of an upright cherry tree
Weeping cherries bloom in spring with either single or double flowers ranging from white to dark pink. The flowers emerge directly on the bare branches before the leaves, creating a gorgeous floral display. After flowering, the branches are cloaked in fresh green leaves that provide shade and an attractive form. In fall, the leaves turn hues of yellow, orange and red.
Below are 11 of the most popular varieties of weeping cherry trees perfect for gardens of any size:
Snow Fountain
- Graceful, weeping branches that form a rounded dome
- Grows 8-15 feet tall and wide
- Profuse clusters of single, pure white flowers in early to mid spring
- One of the hardiest and easiest to grow weeping cherries
- Ideal for small yards or used as understory below taller trees
Pink Snow Showers
- Weeping branches grow 10-15 feet tall and form a mushroom shape
- Abundant, small, double pink blooms emerge in mid spring
- Flowers packed along the branches create a dense, snow-like effect
- More compact and manageable size than other weeping types
Cheal’s Weeping Cherry
- Irregular, twisted weeping branches with some upright branches
- Grows 10-15 feet high and wide
- Double pink flowers cover the bare branches in early spring
- Striking form through all seasons with ornamental bark and bronze fall foliage
Pendula Rosea
- Weeping branches grow 12-18 feet high and 8 feet wide
- Large clusters of semi-double, bright rose pink flowers in early spring
- One of the most vibrant and prolific flowering weeping cherries
Weeping Higan Cherry
- Gracefully arching branches grow 20-30 feet high
- Light pink, almost white flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring
- Beautiful glossy, copper-brown bark adds winter interest
Dwarf Weeping Cherry
- Weeping branches only grow 6-10 feet high and wide
- Abundant pale pink or white flowers smother the branches in spring
- Perfect for containers or small garden spaces
Falling Snow Weeping Cherry
- Dense, flowing branches weep nearly straight down
- Grows 15-25 feet high and 10-15 feet wide
- Profuse small, single white flowers in early spring
- One of the most popular varieties with great hardiness
Kiku-shidare-zakura Weeping Cherry
- Elegant, slender weeping branches
- Grows 15-20 feet high and 10 feet wide
- Light pink flowers cover the cascading branches in mid spring
- Striking bare branch structure in winter
Shidare Yoshino Weeping Cherry
- Arching branches weep gently and grow 20 feet high
- Subtle, pale pink flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring
- Outdoor accent lighting illuminates the branches nicely at night
Weeping Extraordinaire Cherry
- Pronounced weeping form with branches reaching the ground
- Grows 10-15 feet high and wide
- Huge clusters of semi-double, deep pink blooms in mid spring
Pink Cloud Weeping Cherry
- Dense, mounded form with branches weeping to the ground
- Grows 8-12 feet high and wide
- Light pink, fragrant flowers in early to mid spring
- Compact size great for containers and small yards
Tips for Growing Weeping Cherry Trees
- Choose a location with full sun exposure to promote flowering
- Well-draining soil enriched with compost or manure provides ideal conditions
- Water young trees regularly until established, then weekly during growth periods
- Prune selectively in summer to shape weeping branches and create an open form inside
- Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Protect from harsh winds which can damage the graceful weeping branches
With their stunning floral displays and graceful forms, weeping cherry trees make a distinctive statement in any outdoor space. Take your time to review the characteristics of each variety and choose one that will thrive in your specific growing conditions. With the proper care, weeping cherries can become a beloved focal point and springtime showstopper for decades to come.
5 Best Weeping Cherry Trees
The most popular weeping cherry is definitely the Falling Snow. It has a neat symmetrical shape that cascades almost straight down. Its head is not overly large and it has a beautiful dense white blossom that blooms quite early in spring for a spectacular display. It’s often the first of the weeping cherry varieties to blossom.
Falling Snow is a popular courtyard tree. Many people choose to grow them in pots with a shorter stem because if they are too tall then the blossoms are too high and you can’t enjoy them as much. Growing them so they bloom at eye level is more popular. Low grafted Falling Snow can look gorgeous in pots.
The next most popular Weeping Cherry is probably the Subhirtella alba, or as most nurserymen call it – the Sub Alba for short. Its blooms are not as brilliantly white as the Falling Snow – they actually have a bit of soft pink in them. But their flowers are much bigger than Falling Snow. It can take a couple of years for them to really grow a big strong head, but when they do the amount of flowers they produce is overwhelming.
They do tend to grow out a bit more than Falling Snow so they can get wider, but you can prune them back. The foliage lasts really well and they don’t tend to get diseases or bugs so the leaves will last through to autumn and give you really lovely colour then.
The Sub Alba is our favourite weeping cherry because it grows very strong, is very hardy to wind and heat and is not prone to many bugs or disease. It will grow strong for long and when it is old and covered in big bunches of blossoms it is quite spectacular.
Subhirtella rosea Weeping Cherry
The Subhirtella rosea is another weeping cherry that nursery people like to shorten the name of to just Sub rosea. It’s a big tree with beautiful, soft pink blossoms. The head of a Sub rosea can grow really quite large, up to 3 or even 3.5 metres wide, but can be controlled by pruning. When they bloom you get this big, full head of flowers that looks like an amazing giant cloud of soft pink. Really, really spectacular. It can grow so large you can end up with a gorgeous canopy of flowers that is delightful to sit under in spring.
The Sub rosea is very adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions including heat and moderate drought, but it’s best kept out of the wind to help it retain its blossoms and autumn leaves for longer. The trunk of the Sub rose will only grow as tall as its graft height so this gives you prediction on how tall it will be.
The weeping cherry is one of the last to blossom in spring. It has quite beautiful, double-petal, pink blossoms which tend to completely cover its bare, loosely handing branches.
The most unique feature of a Cheals weeping cherry is that it unlike other varieties which tend to grow in a definite way, either all the branches cascading down or all the branches growing outward, a Cheals can grow in a very irregular way. Some of the branches may cascade down, while others might tend to grow outwards or even upwards. So it can grow with an asymmetrical look in striking contrast to other varieties or it may grow with some of its branches in one direction giving it some extra character!
In autumn, the Cheals will be awash with colours including beautiful bronzes. It is a lovely feature tree in a large pot or in the garden, but like all weeping cherries, best to plant it in a spot that is not too exposed to the wind.
Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry Tree
FAQ
What is the best weeping cherry tree?
- Falling Snow Weeping Cherry.
- Subhirtella alba Weeping Cherry.
- Subhirtella rosea Weeping Cherry.
- Cheals Weeping Cherry.
- Mount Fuji/Shimidsu Sakura Grafted Upright Cherry.
What are the disadvantages of a weeping cherry tree?
The weeping cherry tree is susceptible to infestations of borers (both adult and larval). A sign that you have a borer problem is sap leaking out of the trunk. Severe infestations are fatal and will necessitate tree removal.
What is the prettiest weeping tree?
- Pink Weeping Cherry Tree. The rich pink blooms of the Pink Weeping Cherry tree steal the show in spring. …
- Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree. …
- The Weeping Willow is probably the most well-known weeping tree. …
- Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar. …
- Crimson Queen Japanese Maple.
Is there a dwarf weeping cherry tree?
Dwarf Weeping Snow Fountain Cherry Tree. The Snow Fountain tree is a popular cherry tree known for its beautiful, weeping and cascading habit will easily become your new favorite. Unlike the Higan Cherry tree, this has more of a dwarf habit. The glorious floral display lasts for about three weeks around mid-spring.